twinkled; twinkling
ˈtwiŋ-k(ə-)liŋ
1
: to shine with a flickering or sparkling light : scintillate
stars twinkling
2
a
: to appear bright especially with merriment
his eyes twinkled
b
: to flutter the eyelids
3
: to flutter or flit rapidly
1
: to cause to shine with fluctuating light
… in the dark coverts the … beetle twinkles its tiny lamp …—Haldane MacFall
2
: to flicker or flirt rapidly
… twinkled the straight, red-lacquered toes.—Glenway Wescott
2
: a rapid flashing motion : flit
3
: a wink of the eyelids
4
: the instant's duration of a wink : twinkling
Cite this Entry
“Twinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/twinkle. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.
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